Lecture 6: Power and Authority

Mohammad Jalal Uddin Sikder, PhD

Department of Political Science and Sociology
North South University
This lecture will covers ...

o Identify examples of power and authority in daily life.

o Understand how power is used in politics.

o Distinguish between different types of authority.

o Analyze the role of power in governance and decision-

making.
 What is Power?
• Definition: Power is the ability to influence or control the behavior of
people, often determining who gets what, when, and how.

• Max Weber (1922): Defined power as "the probability that one actor
within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his own will
despite resistance."

• Steven Lukes (1974): Expanded on Weber’s idea by identifying three

dimensions of power: decision-making power, agenda-setting power,
and ideological power.

• Michel Foucault (1980): Argued that power is not just about coercion
but also operates through knowledge, discourse, and societal norms.
 What is Power?
Examples of Power in Different Contexts:
o Political Power: A government enforcing laws, influencing public policies, or
using military force to maintain national security.
o Example: The U.S. President issuing executive orders to implement policies
without needing legislative approval.
o Economic Power: Control over resources, industries, and financial systems.
o Example: Large corporations like Amazon or Google influencing market
trends and government regulations through lobbying.
o Social Power: The ability to shape beliefs, values, and ideologies.
o Example: Media outlets influencing public opinion through news framing and
political coverage.
o Institutional Power: Power held by organizations, such as schools, religious
institutions, or businesses, which shape behavior through rules and regulations.
o Example: A university setting academic requirements that students must
follow to graduate.
o Interpersonal Power: Power dynamics in personal relationships, such as a
teacher controlling a classroom or a manager making decisions in a workplace.
o Example: A manager deciding on promotions and work schedules, affecting
employees’ careers.
 Power in Daily Life
 Power is not limited to politics but is deeply embedded in daily
interactions, shaping relationships, behaviors, and societal norms.
Different forms of power influence decision-making at individual, social,
and institutional levels.
1. Interpersonal Power: Power that exists in close personal relationships,
often based on roles, responsibilities, and dependence.
o Example: Parents exert authority over children by setting rules,
disciplining them, and making important decisions.
o Workplace Example: Employers control salaries, work
assignments, and promotions, influencing employees’ career
growth.
o Theoretical Insight: Michel Foucault (1980) suggested that power
operates through subtle social norms and discipline rather than just
direct coercion.
 Power in Daily Life
2. Social Power: Power used to shape beliefs, values, and behavior in society
through cultural and ideological influence.
o Example: Media corporations (such as BBC, CNN, or social media
platforms) shape public opinion by controlling narratives and news coverage.
o Religious Influence: Religious leaders influence moral values, traditions,
and laws in many societies.
o Theoretical Insight: Antonio Gramsci (1971) introduced the concept of
"cultural hegemony," where dominant groups use ideology to maintain power
without force.
3. Political Power: The ability of governments, politicians, and institutions to create
and enforce laws, policies, and governance structures.
o Example: Governments exercise power through the police, military, taxation,
and policy decisions.
o Elections: Politicians use campaigns, debates, and propaganda to gain
political power.
o Theoretical Insight: Max Weber (1922) distinguished between power as
coercion and authority as legitimate power, emphasizing that effective
governance relies on authority rather than mere force.
 What is Authority?
Definition: Authority is a form of power that is recognized as legitimate by
individuals, institutions, and societies.
o Max Weber (1922): Defined authority as "the probability that a command with a
given specific content will be obeyed by a given group of persons."
o Difference Between Power and Authority:
o Power can be exercised through coercion, persuasion, or force, even
without legitimacy.
o Authority is institutionalized power that people accept as rightful and just.
Examples of Authority vs. Power:
o Legal Authority: A police officer enforcing laws has authority because the legal
system grants them power.
o Illegitimate Power: A criminal threatening someone with a weapon has power
but lacks legitimacy.
o Workplace Example: A manager has authority to assign tasks, but an unofficial
leader in a team may have power through influence.
o Historical Example: In absolute monarchies, kings ruled with both power and
authority, while revolutionaries challenged their legitimacy.
Max Weber on ‘authority’

Three main modes of authority (claiming legitimacy):

 Traditional authority
- authority based upon belief in the sanctity of age-
old rules and powers

 Charismatic authority
-an extraordinary form of domination based on
“certain quality of an individual personality by virtue of
which he/she is considered extraordinary and treated as
endowed with … exceptional powers or qualities (Weber,
1968:241)
 Rational-legal authority
-this form of authority has been a major aspect of
the rationalisation (disenchantment) of the modern
word
-implies a shift in beliefs upon which legitimacy rests
-authority becomes ‘rational’ – calculated means of
achieving domination
-depends upon a legal code
-system of abstract rules
-person in authority who occupies ‘an office’
-administrative staff
 How Power is used in
Politics?
Power plays a crucial role in shaping political systems, governance, and
international relations. Political actors, institutions, and states use power in
various ways to influence policies, control resources, and maintain stability.
1. Policy-making: Governments use power to create and enforce laws that
regulate society and address public needs.
o Example: The U.S. Congress passing legislation on healthcare reform,
such as the Affordable Care Act, to provide wider access to medical
services.
o Theoretical Insight: Steven Lukes (1974) highlighted how policy-
making is influenced by both direct decisions and hidden power
structures that control the political agenda.
2. Elections: Political candidates and parties use persuasive power to gain
public support through campaigns, debates, and propaganda.
o Example: Political leaders, such as Barack Obama and Narendra Modi,
used speeches, social media, and public rallies to mobilize voters.
o Theoretical Insight: Antonio Gramsci (1971) introduced the concept
of "cultural hegemony," where dominant political groups shape public
opinion through media and institutions.
 How Power is used in
Politics?
3. Global Relations: Nations exercise power in international politics through
diplomacy, trade agreements, and military influence.
o Example: The United States and China engaging in trade negotiations
to assert economic dominance and influence global markets.
o Example: Russia's use of military intervention in Ukraine to extend its
geopolitical power.
o Theoretical Insight: Hans Morgenthau (1948) emphasized "realism"
in international relations, arguing that power is the primary factor in
global politics.

4. International Organizations: Institutions like the United Nations (UN)

mediate conflicts, impose sanctions, and promote diplomatic solutions to global
issues.
o Example: The UN Security Council using economic sanctions to
influence North Korea’s nuclear program.
o Theoretical Insight: Michel Foucault (1980) suggested that global
power is exercised not only through military force but also through
institutional control and discourse.
 Power, Authority and Society?
Power and authority are fundamental forces that shape social structures,
influencing political systems, economic hierarchies, and societal norms. The way
power is distributed and exercised affects governance, stability, and societal
progress.
1. Power Shapes Social Structures: Political, economic, and social institutions
are built on power dynamics.
o Example: Governments create policies that influence wealth distribution,
education, and healthcare access, shaping class structures and
opportunities.
o Theoretical Insight: Karl Marx (1867) argued that power in capitalist
societies is concentrated among the ruling class, reinforcing economic
inequality.
2. Legitimacy Matters: Authority is effective when it is accepted as just and fair
by society.
o Example: Democratic leaders gain legitimacy through elections, while
dictators may struggle to maintain authority without public support.
o Theoretical Insight: Max Weber (1922) stated that legitimate authority
derives from tradition, charisma, or legal-rational structures, ensuring
stability.
 Power, Authority and Society?
3. Shifts in Power: Revolutions, social movements, and leadership
changes demonstrate how power can be challenged and redistributed.

o Example: The Arab Spring (2010-2012) saw citizens challenge

authoritarian governments, demanding democracy and social
justice.
o Theoretical Insight: Michel Foucault (1980) emphasized that
power is not static but constantly shifting through discourse,
resistance, and institutional transformations.

Example - The Civil Rights Movement:

o Civil rights activists in the U.S., led by figures like Martin Luther King
Jr., challenged racial segregation and unjust power structures
through nonviolent resistance.
o The movement led to landmark legislation, such as the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, demonstrating how power can be restructured through
legal and social change.
 Conclusion
o Power is the ability to influence behavior, while authority is recognized

and legitimate power.

o Authority comes in three main forms: traditional, charismatic, and legal-

rational.

o Power and authority impact daily life, politics, and governance.

o Understanding power helps analyze political dynamics and social

interactions.